Events Reach out and Read Kansas City

Books On Tap

Our 2020 Event will take place on Wednesday, September 16th. We are accepting sponsors now. Click here for more information about sponsoring Books On Tap in 2020. Books on Tap proceeds provide books and literacy advice to low-income families throughout the Kansas City area.

2020 Sponsorships

Sponsor a Child's Success!

Fundraising events are critical to the Reach Out and Read KC program. They bring in a third of the funds we need to get 74,000 books into the hands of the local children and families who need them each year.

Each year we hold three signature events: Our For the Love of Books Breakfast in February, the Race to Read 5K in the spring and our Books On Tap happy hour, which takes place in September. We accept sponsorships year-round, and offer packages that include sponsoring one, two or all three events. We have a wide range of sponsors, including individuals, organizations and businesses. There's something for everyone. Thank you to all of our sponsors!

Click here to download the sponsorship form. You can also sign up to be a sponsor here.

Please feel free to contact Ellen Quinn at equinn5@kumc.edu if you have any questions!

Cover Stars:

Sallie Page-Goertz and Kenn Goertz

Bookmarkers:

Tanya Rodecker-Wendt & Samuel Wendt

Race To Read 5K

Stay tuned for Race to Read 5K 2021 updates! We thank you for your ongoing support towards our mission.

For the Love of Books Breakfast

"At what age do young children start decoding the world around them?"

This was a most thought-provoking question to be asked by 2020 For the Love of Books breakfast honorary host and ROR-KC Medical Director Sallie Page-Goertz, while gathered over coffee and delicious morning provisions. All while being surrounded by 180 community members, ROR-KC board members and Kansas City leaders such as Mayor Quinton Lucas and former Kansas City Mayor Sly James.

We are proud to say we had a successful 2020 For the Love of Books breakfast on Thursday, February 13 at a new location, Grand Street Cafe. On a cold Thursday morning when you'd typically be driving into work thinking about the day ahead, we gave our attendees the opportunity to take a break from the norm and gather for breakfast, meaningful conversation and a glimpse into Reach Out and Read Kansas City's world.

Even with the temperatures dropping, we managed to keep moving and this year, with your help, we grossed $53,560 so far. We were able to get the $4,000 match from the Kauffman Foundation with our day-of total at $14,575 (including the match).

Throughout the morning, inspiration came in many forms as Sallie Page-Goertz challenged us to envision what it would be like for a child on a day-to-day basis that didn't have access to books, so ROR-KC staff made a code listed on event programs for attendees to decipher. The code resulted in: Books Are Awesome!

Goertz then explained an interesting Princeton University study conducted earlier this year. A team of Princeton researchers developed a new way to measure baby and adult brain activity during natural interaction.

Our guests were then treated to an insightful Q&A lead by Fox 4's Shannon O'Brien towards our Keynote Speakers, local children's book authors Aja James and Audrey Masoner. We learned more about them as individuals and their journey into how "Mayor Sly and the Magic Bow Tie: A Kansas City Adventure" was born.

ROR-KC would like to extend a special thank you to our event sponsors: The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, CommunityAmerica Credit Union, Hallmark, Sallie Page-Goertz & Kenneth Goertz, Pamela Madaus & William McLean III and The Walsh Family Foundation.

We hope we will have your support for next year's For the Love of Books breakfast!